Imphal: Union Minister of State for Education and external affairs Dr. R K Ranjan Singh has shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi sharing his views on the ongoing crisis in Manipur—he laid stress on peaceful coexistence and solution of all outstanding issues through dialogue.

“Protest is very much a part and parcel of a vibrant democracy. Anyone has the right to protest. The Meiteis have the right to demand the status of a Scheduled Tribe and the tribal communities too have got the right to register their protest against this move by the Meiteis. Violence can never be an answer. We all have to live in Manipur peacefully,” Singh mentioned in his letter to the Prime Minister.

Commenting on the state government’s financial aid to the victims of this ethnic clash Singh said that the state government alone cannot meet the aspirations of the victims. Singh urged the Centre to step in and open its coffer for the distressed lot in Manipur.

At the same time, Singh also said that for the moment Army and other paramilitary forces should be stationed in Manipur since the state is limping back to normalcy albeit slowly.

“The police force of Manipur will not be able to control the situation and so it would be good if the central forces are given the authority to man the streets of Manipur,” Singh observed.